Pneumatic musical instrument.



E. DE KLBIST.

PNEUMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED APB.13,1908,

Patented Feb. 7,1911.

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PNEUMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 13, 1908.

Patented Feb. 7, 1911.

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I I[ V. \\\\\\I e ya E. DE KLEIST. PNEUMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.APPLICATION FILED APR.13,I908.

Patented Feb.7, 1911.

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Inverz R5 01! UNITED STATiES FATENT OFFICE.

EUGENE DE KLEIST, OF NORTH TONAWANDA, NEN YORK, ASSIG-NOR TO THE RUDOLPHWURLITZER COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A C(JRPORATIGN OF OHIO.

PNEUMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EUGENE on KLnIsT, a citizen of the United States,residing at North 'lbnauanda, in the county of Niagara and State of NewYork, have invented a new and x'iseful Im movcment in Pneumatic MusicalInstruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to automatic musical instruments in. which thepneumatic action is controlled by a perforated musicshcet n-ovided withautomatic rewinding means, and more particularly to electricallydriveninstruments of this class in which the motor circuit is closed by a coinwhich is detained in a chute or hopper for a sufficient time to causethe instrument to play one or more tunes, at the end of which period thecoin is automatically released to break the n'iotor-circuit and stop theinstrument. A coin-releasing mechanism of this kind is shown anddescribed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 713,653, granted tome November 18, 1902.

One of the objects of my invention is to improve the driving andrewinding mechanism and its automatic controlling devices, with a viewof simplifying their construc tion and facilitating repair and renewalof the parts.

A further object is to simplify the means for rendering the pneun'iaticaction inoperative dining the rewinding of the musicsheet.

In the accompanying drawings consisting of t sheets: Figure 1 is asectional front elevation of an automatic piano embodying the invention,the piano action and strings being omitted for clearness. F 2 is a rearelevation, on an enlarged scale, of the traclwr-mcchanism and thedriving gear of the music rolls. Fig. 3 is a transverse sec tion of saidgear in line 33, Fig. Fig. l; is a plan view of a fragment of the musicsheet. Fig. 5 is an end View of said driving gear. Fig. (3 is anenlarged horizontal section in line 6 6, Fig. 1. Figs. 7 and 8 are crosssections of the tracker mechanism showing differentpositions of thefinger which cooperates with the take-up roll. Fig. 9 is a fragmentaryface view of the coincontrolling devices, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 10is a cross section thereof in line 10 10, Fig. 9. transverse section, onan enlarged scale, of

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 13, 1308.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic- Patented Feb. '7, 1911.

Serial No. 428,673.

the wind chest and tracker mechanism. Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectionalelevation, on an enlarged scale, of the connection beti veen'the musicroll and the driving mechanism.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspending parts throughout theseveral Views.

A indicates the wind chest containing a pneumatic action of any suitableconstruction, and B, F 11, the motor pneulnatics which operate thecustomary stickers 5 which in turn act upon the piano action, not shown.

C indicates the pump or main suction bellows which operated by anelectric motor 0 and C a tube connecting the exhaust chamber of the windchest with said bellows.

D is the tracker board, preferably arranged above the wind chest, and (Zthe usual flexible tubes leading from the tracker ducts to therespective chambers of the pneumatic action.

E indicates the music roll and F the takeup roll upon which theperforated music sheet f is wound. The music-roll and takeup rolls E, Fare journaled in the uprights D D as usual, and are driven alternatelyby a gearing, preferably constructed as follows: G is an upright shaftsuitably supported in the case of the instrument at one side of thetracker mechanism and con stantly driven in the same direction from themotor C by belts and pulleys, as shown, or by any other suitablegearing. h is a counter-shaft supported by brackets projecting from theadjacent upright D and driven from the upright shaft G by a belt 7Lrunning around pulleys secured to said shafts. On the counter-shaft 71/is mounted a friction wheel [L2 which engages the face of a frictiondisk 72 secured to the outer end of a horizontal shaft 714' slidinglysupported in a. bracket carried by the upright D T he friction disk isconstantly pressed against the friction wheel by a spring 7L5, Fig. 2,applied. to the shaft 7v between a collar h thereof and the uprigl'it DI is a horizontal shaft journaled in the lower portion of the upright Dand driven from the upper horizontal shaft 7L by a sprocket chain 2'running around sprocket wheels 2' 2' secured to said shafts. To theshaft I is secured a gear oinion i which meshes with a gear wheel isecured to the shaft of the take-up roll, the shaft I being free toslide in its bearing for throwing its pinion into and out of gear withthe gear wheel of said roll. To the lower horizontal shaft is socured asecond sprocket wheel 2' which is connected by a sprocket chain 2' witha sprocket wheel 2' loosely journaled on the shaft of the music roll Eand having clutch pins 2' adapted to interlock with similar pins 2'carried by a collar 2' secured to said shaft. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3,the sliding sprocket wheel 2' is shifted by an arm j projecting from anupright rock shaft. j and having a pin which engages an annular groove jin the hub of said wheel while the pinion shaft 1 is shiftedsimultaneously with said sprocket wheel by a similar arm j" on said rockshaft having a pin which enters an annular groove in the hub of thesprocket wheel. By this construct-ion and arrangement, the music roll Eis thrown out of gear with the driving mechanism when the takeup roll Fis moved into gear, and vice versa. The upright rock shaft y' issupported on the upright D and provided with an actuating arm which isoperated by the mechanism hereinafter described. It will now beunderstood that when the upper sliding sprocket wheel 2' and the pinionshaft 1 are shifted inwardly, the music roll E is thrown out of gearwith the driving mechanism and the take-up roll F is moved into geartherewith, as shown in the drawings, thus driving the take-up roll fromthe friction disk 7L3 through the sprocket chainand said pinon shaft andcausing the music sheet to be wound upon the take-up roll, the frictiondisk being driven in the proper direction for this purpose. hen saidsliding sprocket wheel and the pinion shaft I are shifted outwardly, thetake-up roll is thrown outof gear and the music-roll is driven forwardlythrough the pinion-shaft I, the sprocket chain i and sliding sprocketwheel 2' thus rewinding the music sheet upon the music roll. To permitthe speed of the music and take-up rolls to be varied for differenttempos, the friction wheel if is movable toward and from the center ofthe friction disk. In the preferred construction shown in the drawings,the shaft ii of this friction wheel is made vertically adjustable in itsbearings and raised or lowered by an arm 7a carried by a rock shaftsupported in a block L Figs. 1, 2 and 5. The front end of this shaftcarries an arm 7f having a clamping screw is" which passes through aslotted segment L secured to the shelf which supports the trackermechanism, as seen in Fig. 1. A spring 76 which bears upon the upper endof the shaft h serves to reliably depress the same in adjusting it.

L Figs. 1 and fl, indicates the coin chute, and Z the coin hopper orintercepting device which controls the circuit Z (Fig. 10) in which theelectric motor C is included. This controlling device is preferablyconstructed substantially shown and described in the Letters Patentbereinbe'forereferred to and consists of the hopper Z arranged toreceive the deposited coin from the chute L and having opposite metallicwalls Z" forming the terminals of the motorcircuit, these walls beingelectrically connected by the coin which bears edgewise against them andbeing arranged so closely together that the coin cannot drop through thethroat between them. The other two walls of the hopper are of insulatingmate' rial and one of them consists of a hinged door Z through which theintercepted coin is discharged laterally by an ejecting linger Z carriedby the door and extending through a slot in the wall opposite the door,so that when the latter is opened, the ejector pushes the coin out ofthe hopper, breaking the circuit and stopping the motor and theinstrument. The hopper-door is controlled by a pneumatic Z having itsmovable board suitably connected with the door. The pneumatic iscontrolled. by a series of perforations in the music sheet and acorresponding *alve mechanism of the pneumatic action in such mannerthat the pneumatic is collapsed and caused to: open the hopperdoor atthe eiid of every tune on the sheet, except the ast one, so as to causethe instrument to play a tune for each deposit of a proper coin. Fig. 11shows this valve mechanism which comprises the customary double puppetvalve m, m controlling the usual air and exhaust ports m m whichcommunicate respectively with the air chamber M and the exhaust chamberM of the wind chest, the latter chamber being connected with the mainsuction bellows C by the tube 0-. The pneumatic Z is connected by a tube0 with the exhaust and flushing channel 0 of the corresponding valvemechanism. 'hen a perforation of the music sheet registers with thetracker duct corresponding to the coin controlling pneumatic Z, thecorresponding puppet valve elevated or reversed, in a well known manner, placing said pneumatic in communication with the exhaust chamber Mof the wind chestand collapsing it, while when an imperforate portion ofthe sheet passes over said duct, the puppet valve descends, placing saidpneumatic in ctmnnunication with the air chamber M and expanding it.

N, Fig. 2, is a flushing port or passage preferably formed in a fixedblock N and connected with the exhaust chamber M of the wind-chest by atube n. This port is open to the atmosphere at its upper end except whenclosed by a flushing); valve N preferably of the rocking type shown.This valve is closed by the atmospheric pressure thereon aided by aspring 1) attached at one end to the block N and at its other end to anarm or standard a secured to the valve.

After the last tune of the music sheet has been played, this flushingvalve is automatically opened by a pneumatic P, so as to flush theexhaust chamber of the wind chest during the subsequent rewinding of themusic sheet and prevent the instrument from playing during thisoperation. The pneumatic P is controlled by a properly arrangedperforation in the music sheet and a corresponding valve mechanism ofthe wind chest identical with the valve mechanism of the coincontrolling pneumatic Z, shown in Fig. 11, 7) indicating the tube whichconnects said pneumatic with the exhaust and flushing channel of saidvalve i'nechanism. As best shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the actuating arm jof the shaft is connected with the upper end of the valve arm orstandard a by a rod g, by which connection the motion of the music andtake-up rolls is reversed simultaneously with the opening of the flushvalve N causing the music sheet to be rewound upon the music roll. Asshown in Figs. 2 and (S, the movable upper board of the pneumatic P hasan actuating arm 79 which extends across the tail of the flushing valve.

1 is a lock or catch which automatically interlocks with the tail of theflushing valve N when the same is opened and retains it in that positionduring the rewinding of the music sheet. This catch is yieldingly heldin engagemei'it with said valve by a spring 0* and is disengagedtherefrom at the end of the rewinding operation by the action of afinger s cooperating with the take-up roll and secured to a horizontalrock shaft 5. This shaft journaled transversely in the uprights D D onthe front side of the takeaip roll and is provided at its left hand endwith an arm 5 which is coi'inected with the tail of the locking catch R,which latter is in the form of a bell crank lever. The finger s isrigidly connected to the free end of an arm a secured to the rock shaft5'", as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The finger extends upwardly from thisarm and bears against the convolutions of the music sheet opposite atransverse groove or recess 25 in the take-u p roll, the finger beindrawn toward said roll by a spring .9. So long as said groove remainscovered by the music sheet during the rcwinding of the latter, thefinger is held in the retracted position shown in F 8, allowing thelocking catch R to remain in engagement with the open flushing valve,but as soon as the groove is uncovered by the complete unwinding of thesheet from the take up roll, the finger is drawn intothe groove by itsspring 8, as shown in Fig. 7, thus rocking the shaft 8 in the properdirection to withdraw the catch from the flushing valve and allowing thelatter to close, as shown in Fig. 2. By this movement of the flushingvalve, the upright actuating shaft 7" of the driving gear is turned inthe proper direction to throw the music roll out of gear and the take-uproll into gear with the driving mechanism, thus causing the music sheetto a 'ain travel forwardly. The finger s and the rock shaft carrying itare preferably employed to aid in effecting this movement of the shaft jFor this purpose, said shaft 5'" is provided with a rock arm 1!, (Figs.1, 3, 5 and (3), which is connected by a rod '20 with an arm a secured.to the shaft 7'' and the rear end of the groove 25 in the take-up rollis abrupt or substantially radial to the roll, as shown in Figs' '7 and8. By this construction, immediately after the finger 8 enters said.groove, said abrupt end strikes the upper end of the finger anddepresses it to the position shown in Fig. 7, thereby positively rockingthe shaft 8 in the proper direction to shift the parts of the drivinggear to the position shown in the drawings.

It should be borne in mind that the coin deposited for playing the lasttune of the sheet not discharged when the sheet is fully wound upon thetake-up roll nor during the rewinding of the sheet, otherwise the motorwould come to a standstill and the sheet would not be rewoundautomziitically. However, the coin is finally discharged during theinitial forward travel of the music sheet following its rewindingoperation, by a perforation w in the sheet cooperating with the trackerduct corresponding to the coin-controlling pneumatic Z and located ashort distance in advance of the perforations to which control the motorpneumatics of the soumhproducing parts of the instrument, as shown inFig. 4:. As soon as said perforation 10 passes over the tracker-board,after the rewinding operation the pneumatic Z is collapsed and the coinis discharged, stopping the motor.

Q02 indicates one of the perfm'ations in the sheet which cause theinstrument to be stopped after playing one of the several pieces on thesheet except the last.

The operation of the instrument is as follows: In the normal conditionof the instrument, the flushing valve 1* is closed and the driving gearis in position to drive the takeup roll, as shown in the drawings. Afterthe music roll, E has been put in place and the music saeet attached tothe take-up roll in the usual manner, the rolls are turned by hand farenough to move the head coiirdis- 7 charge perforation '20 past thetracker board. lpon now depositing a coin in the chute, themotor-circuit is closed, causing the music sheet to be wound upon thetakeup roll. At the end of the first tune, one of the perforations Q02corresponding to the coin-discharge pneumatic L registers with thecorresponding duct of the tracker board, collapsing said pneumatic,discharging the coin and stopping the instrument. Another coin beingdeposited in the chute, the instrument plays the second tune and at theend thereof the coin is discharged as before, this action being repeatedfor each coin, except the one deposited to play the last tune which isretained in the hopper Z during the remaining operations of the cycle.After the last tune has been played and just before the sheet fullytaken-up by the roll E, the perforation thereof which controls theopening-pneumatic I of the flushing valve N registers with thecorresponding tracker-duct, collapsing said pneumatic, opening theflushing valve and at the same time throwing the take-up roll out: ofgear and the music roll into get r with the driving mechanism throughthe connection g of the shaft j with said valve. The music sheet nowautomatically rewonnd and the wind chest is at the same time flushed,rendering the motor pneumatics l3 inactive. The flushing valve ismeanwhile locked in 'hat position by the catch It. The moment that thesheet is fully unwound from the take-up roll, the finger is" enters theuncov ered groove f of said roll, retracting the locking catch It,allowing the flushing valve to close and simultaneously reversing themovement of the take-up and music rolls to again propel the music sheetforwardly. The sheet now travels in that direction just far enough tocarry its final coin-releasing perforation u past the tracker board,when the coin-discharging pneumatic Z again collapsed, the coindischarged and the instrument stopped before the sheet advances farenough to repeat the tunes without the deposit of further coins.

By utilizing the initial forward travel of the rewound music sheet toeffect the discharge of the coin after the last piece has been played,the construction of the automatic controlling devices is materiallysimplified.

The locking catch It of the flushing valve positively holds the latteropen against the tendency of the atmospheric pressure to close it andthereby also prevents the parts of the driving gear from accidentallyshifting out of place.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with awind chest, a pneumatic action and tracker mechanism including aperforated music-sheet and music and takcup rolls, of roll-drivingmechanism, shiftable members for alternately connecting said rolls withthe driving mechanism, and aflushing device for the wind-chestcontrolled by the trackermechanism and coi'ltrolling said shiftablemembers.

2. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with awind chest,

a pneumatic action and tracker mechanism including a perforatedmusic-sheet and music and take-up rolls, of roll-driving mechanism,shiftable members for alternately connecting said rolls with the drivingmechanism, a flushing valve for the wind chest controlled by thetracker-mechanism, and means for operatively connecting said shiftablemembers with the flushing valve.

3. In an instrument of the character de scribed, the combination with awind chest, a pneumatic action and tracker mechanism including aperforated music-sheet and music and take-up rolls, of roll-drivingmechanism, shiftable members for alternately connecting said rolls withthe driving mechanism, a shaftconnectcd with said shiftable members andhaving a rock-arm, a flushing valve for the wind-chest controlled by thetracker-mechanism and having a projecting arm, and a connection betweenthe arm of said valve and said rock-arm.

4. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with awind chest, a pneumatic action and tracker mechanism including aperforated music-sheet and music and take-up rolls, of roll-drivingmechanism, shiftable members for alternately connecting said rolls withthe driving mechanism, a flushing valve for the wind chest controlled bythe tracker-mechanism, means for operatively connecting said shiftablemembers with the flushing valve, means for locking said valve in itsopen position, and releasing means for said locking means controlled bythe take-up roll.

5. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with awind chest, a pneumatic action and t'acker mechanism including aperforated music-sheet and music and take-up rolls, said take-up rollhaving a recess, roll-driving mechanism, shiftable members foralternately connecting said rolls with the driving mechanism, a flushingvalve for the wind chest controlled by the tracker-mechanism andcontrolling said shiftable members, a lock for retaining said valve inits open position, and a releasing finger for said lock cooperating withsaid recess.

6. In an instrument of the character described, the COnlbll'ltltlOIlwith a wind chest, a pneumatic action and tracker mechanism including aperforated music-sheet and music and take-up rolls, said take-up rollhaving a recess, roll-driving mechanismshiftable members for alternatelyconnecting said rolls with the driving mechanism, a flushing valve forthe wind chest controlled by the tracker mechanism and controlling saidshiftable members, a lock for retaining said valve in its open position,a rock shaft arranged parallel with the takeup roll and carrying afinger arranged to enter the recess in said roll when the music sheet isunwound therefrom, and means for operatively connecting said lock withsaid rock-shaft.

7. In an instruments of the character described, the combination with awind chest, a pneumatic action and tracker mechanism including aperforated music-sheet and music and take up rolls, said take-up rollbeing provided with a recess having an abrupt end, of driving mechanismhaving shiftable members for alternately connecting said rollstherewith, a rock shaft carry ing a finger arranged opposite the recessof the take-up roll, and means for operatively connecting said shiftablemembers with said rock shaft.

8. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with awind chest, a pneumatic action and tracker mechanism ineluding aperforated music-sheet and music and take-up rolls, said take-up rollbeing provided with a recess having an abrupt end, of driving mechanismhaving shiftable members for alternately connecting said rollstherewith, an actuating shaft connected with said shiftable members, aflushing valve for the wind-chest controlled by the trackeranechanism, alock for retaining said valve in its open position, a rock shaftcarrying a finger arranged opposite the recess of the take-up roll, andmeans for operatively connecting said rock-shaft with said lock and saidactuating shaft.

Witness my hand this 9th day of April,

EUGENE DE KLEIST. Witnesses:

O. F. GEYER, E. M. GRAHAM.

